Wheel



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

W. A. SMITH 85 I. A. WESTON. WHEEL. No. 80,358. I Patented Apr. 3, 188.

. inn-I M WITNESSES: INVENTORQ N. PETERS, Fi'lnte-uvmgrzphf. Wuhmhton. D.O

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-$119M 2. W. A. SMITH 81; I. A. WESTON.

WHEEL.

Patented Apr. 3, 1888.

- INVENTORS.

ATTORNEY N. PETERS, min-ma ma. wumn m. u. t.

UNlTED STATES PATENT @rrrcn.

WILLARD A. SMlTH AND IRVING A. WESTON, OF SYRACUSE, NINV YORK; SAID SMITH ASSIGNOR TO SAID IRVING A. rlI ESiTON, AND HENRY D. XVESTON, OF JAllIESVILLE, NEW YORK.

WHEEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part: of Letters Patent No. 380,358, dated April 3, 1888.

Application filed June 22, 1887. Serial No. 242,109. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, XVILLARD A. SMITH and lnvrne A. WnsroN, of Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga, inthe State of N ew York, have invented new and useful improvements in \Vheels, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in that class of wheels known as suspensiolrwheels, such as are commonly used upon bicycles, tricyeles, due.

The object of our invention is to produce a simple, strong. and rigid wheel, and at the same time one that can be easily and quickly put together without the use of skilled labor and expensive machinery.

Our invention consists in the several novel features of construction and operation which are hereinafter described, and are specifically set forth in the claim hereunto annexed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of the sleeve. Fig. 2 is an end view of the same. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the sleeve with the two spoke-disks in place and one manner of locking the disks apart on the sleeve. Fig. 4 is a like view of the same parts, the spokedisks not spread apart or looked upon the sleeve. Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of an 0 axle and a spoke'disk mounted thereon and locked by a transverse pin. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the inside face of a spoke-disk having slotways opening into the bore of the disk and in the face of it. Fig. 7 is a plan view 5 of the outer face of the spoke-disk without slotways. Fig. Sis a vertical section of the disk shown in Fig. 7 on line S S. Fig. 9 is a similar section of Fig. 6 on line T T. Fig. 10 is a vertical section on line W W of Fig.

c 11, and shows a pin-lock to lock the spoke-disk on the axle. Fig. 11 is asectional elevation of the construction shown in Fig. 10 on line V V.

Fig. 12 is aside elevation of sleeve and spokedisks held thereon.

A and A are disks made to fit the sleeve B, and are made with a circular row of holes," a, to receive the ends of the spokes d. These holes are made bell-mouthed on their outer side, so as to make a curved surface over which the spokes draw. By making the holes of this form we obtain a surface curved to con form to the bend in the spoke, and also curved in the transverse direction, forming practically a perfect seat to receive the draw of the spokes. One or both of these disks are made with internal slotways, a,1ongitudinal to the hub of the disk, so that they may readily slide over the lugs b on the sleeve, as shown in Fig. 4.

In putting this wheel together the spokes are headed and bent, as shown in the drawings, and are then inserted through holes 0 in the disks and drawn through (irrespective of the hub center or sleeve) and riveted or otherwise fastened to the rim or felly. After the spokes are all in place and fastened to the rim the disks are comparatively near together, as shown in Fig. 4, and with no tension on the spokes. The next operation is to insert the sleeve B and spread the disks apart, thus bringing a tension on the spokes and rim. After the disks have been spread far enough for one or both to pass over the shoulders I) the disks can then be turned partly around until the ends of the lugs 11 come into the recesses f, made to receive them, all as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

The notches f may be dispensed with as a means for holding the disks from turning on the sleeve by simply putting in one or more dowel or retaining pins, g, as shown in Fig. 10. The shoulders b may be made with lips, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 4, or may be made plain, as shown in Fig. 12. lVe can also dispense with the recesses f in the face of the hub of the spoke-disk.

It will be observed that the utility of our invention consists in one mechanism and devices for producing the strain upon the wire spokes and rim to obtain the necessary rigidity.

\Ve are aware that suspension-wheels have heretofore been made having disks adapted to slide and be held apart on the axle or sleeve; hence we do not claim such construction, broadly.

Having described our invention, what we claim is- In a suspension-wheel, spoke-disks for re ceiving the ends of the spokes provided with bell-mouthed perforations to receive the draw of the spokes, all substantiallyas shown, and for the purpose set forth.

day of December, 1886.

WILLARD A. SMITH. IRVING A. \VESTON.

5 In testimony whereof we have hereunto Witnesses:

signed our names, in the presence of two at- 0. WV. SMITH, testing witnesses, at Syracuse, in the county of G. E. HUOK.

Onondaga, in the State of New York, this 30th- 

